Multimorbidity : a new emerging epidemic

Abstract

Multimorbidity is defined as the presence of two or more longterm diseases at the same time. Complex multimorbidity is sometimes defined as four or more long-term diseases. It differs from comorbidity, in which there is an index condition. The common multimorbid conditions include coronary heart diseases, hypertension, heart failure, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, painful conditions, depression and dementia. In addition, HIV-associated multimorbidities in sub-Saharan Africa have been emerging as a new health epidemic impacting nearly 20 million people, as cardiovascular and renal diseases are found to be more prevalent in people living with HIV than uninfected patients.